Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
The NHTSA has rated over 2,400 tire lines, including tires for passenger cars, SUVs, minivans, and light pickup trucks using a system called the Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS). The system is designed to take all the important factors into consideration such as traction performance, treadwear, and temperature resistance.
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS) is the tire industry’s way of allowing consumers to compare apples to apples. It also provides a lot of useful information that can help drivers find the right tire for their budget and driving needs. All across the United States, you’ll find drivers who are dealing with a wide range of driving problems. Some drivers are more concerned with tires that perform better on ice and snow while others are looking for something that makes their highway commute more comfortable.
Still other drivers use their auto or truck for work-related tasks such as hauling construction equipment and transporting workers from one site to another. With so many different weather conditions all across America and so many driving needs, the Uniform Tire Quality Grade Standards (UTQG) simplifies all the jargon and gives us a straightforward way to tell if a specific tire will perform well in snow for example.
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The NHTSA can inspect a tire manufacturer’s data and penalize them for inconsistencies, so this gives manufacturer’s the right incentive to grade their tires correctly.
Tread Wear Grades
UTQG Tread Wear Grades are based on testing for actual road use, so a grade of 100 means that the tire tread performed well throughout the entire test. A 200 indicates that the tread will last twice as long during the same period of use. A 300 means that the tire will last three times as long for the same period of use and so on.
Traction Grades
UTQG Traction Grades are done on wet surfaces where tires are tested as they skid on specific surfaces. These tests do not test things like dry cornering, dry braking, or hydroplaning resistance. Tires are evaluated as they slide at a constant 40 mph. The chart below offers more information and a sampling of the standard UTQG test results:
Tires in West Palm Beach
Deals on Wheels has a huge selection of tires in West Palm Beach. Our tire experts can help you choose which tires are best for your vehicle and for your driving needs. Depending on how you use your vehicle and where you usually drive, we will evaluate which tires can perform best for you based on Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS). Contact us today for your tire and auto inquiries!
